Lightning Bolt

Schedule

Thu, 02 Oct, 2025 at 08:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302 | Jersey City, NJ

Advertisement
Over the course of its two-decade existence, Lightning Bolt has revolutionized underground rock in immeasurable ways. The duo broke the barrier between stage and audience by setting themselves up on the floor in the midst of the crowd. Their momentous live performances and the mania they inspired paved the way for similar tactics used by Dan Deacon and literally hundreds of others. Similarly, the band's recordings have always been chaotic, roaring, blown out documents that sound like they could destroy even the toughest set of speakers. Fantasy Empire, Lightning Bolt's sixth album and first in five years, is a fresh take from a band intent on pushing themselves musically and sonically while maintaining the aesthetic that has defined not only them, but an entire generation of noisemakers. It marks many firsts, most notably their first recordings made using hi-fi recording equipment at the famed Machines With Magnets, and their first album for Thrill Jockey. More than any previous album, Fantasy Empire sounds like drummer Brian Chippendale and bassist Brian Gibson are playing just a few feet away, using the clarity afforded by the studio to amplify the intensity they project. Every frantic drum hit, every fuzzed-out riff, sounds more present and tangible than ever before.
Fantasy Empire is ferocious, consuming, and is a more accurate translation of their live experience. It also shows Lightning Bolt embracing new ways to make their music even stranger. More than any previous record, Chippendale and Gibson make use of live loops and complete separation of the instruments during recording to maximize the sonic pandemonium and power. Gibson worked with Machines very carefully to get a clear yet still distorted and intense bass sound, allowing listeners to truly absorb the detail and dynamic range he displays, from the heaviest thud to the subtle melodic embellishments. Some of these songs have been in the band's live repertoire since as early as 2010, and have been refined in front of audiences for maximum impact. This is heavy, turbulent music, but it is executed with the precision of musicians that have spent years learning how to create impactful noise through the use of dynamics, melody, and rhythm.
Fantasy Empire has been in gestation for four years, with some songs having been recorded on lo-fi equipment before ultimately being scrapped. Since Early Delights was released, the band has collaborated with the Flaming Lips multiple times, and continued to tour relentlessly. 2013 saw the release of All My Relations by Black Pus, Chippendale's solo outlet, which was followed by a split LP with Oozing Wound. Chippendale, an accomplished comic artist and illustrator, created the Fantasy Empire's subtly ominous album art, and will release an upcoming book of his comics through respected imprint Drawn and Quarterly. Brian Gibson has been developing the new video game Thumper, with his own company, Drool, which will be released next year. And, of course, Lightning Bolt will be touring the US in 2025.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302, 337 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302-2209, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Kill Alters

Host or Publisher Kill Alters

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Jersey City

44th Jersey City Durga Utsav 2025
Fri, 03 Oct at 12:00 am 44th Jersey City Durga Utsav 2025

William L. Dickinson High School

FESTIVALS NAVRATRI
GSPC presents 44th Jersey City Durga Utsov 2025
Fri, 03 Oct at 04:00 pm GSPC presents 44th Jersey City Durga Utsov 2025

William L. Dickinson High School

CONCERTS MUSIC
Earlybirds Club
Fri, 03 Oct at 06:00 pm Earlybirds Club

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302

NONPROFIT ENTERTAINMENT
Spiritual talk on Shiva & his third eye - Introduction to Brahmgyan Meditation
Fri, 03 Oct at 06:30 pm Spiritual talk on Shiva & his third eye - Introduction to Brahmgyan Meditation

Ganesh Shiva Mandir

HEALTH-WELLNESS
The Lemonade Band Live Outside Free in Jersey City
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm The Lemonade Band Live Outside Free in Jersey City

Grove PATH Plaza

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Mountain Goats
Fri, 03 Oct at 07:00 pm The Mountain Goats

White Eagle Hall

Hot Milk, Save Face in Jersey City
Tue, 30 Sep at 08:00 pm Hot Milk, Save Face in Jersey City

White Eagle Hall

CONCERTS MUSIC
Hot Milk
Tue, 30 Sep at 08:00 pm Hot Milk

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Lightning Bolt
Thu, 02 Oct at 08:00 pm Lightning Bolt

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Adler Band at Zeppelin Hall
Sat, 04 Oct at 12:00 pm The Adler Band at Zeppelin Hall

Zeppelin Hall Biergarten & Restaurant

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Mountain Goats in Jersey City
Sat, 04 Oct at 08:00 pm The Mountain Goats in Jersey City

White Eagle Hall

ENTERTAINMENT CONCERTS
The Mountain Goats
Sat, 04 Oct at 08:00 pm The Mountain Goats

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
SEA MONKEYS
Sat, 04 Oct at 08:00 pm SEA MONKEYS

Monty Hall

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Adlers Band at Zeppelin Hall **TIME TBD**
Sun, 12 Oct at 12:00 pm The Adlers Band at Zeppelin Hall **TIME TBD**

Zeppelin Hall Biergarten & Restaurant

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
The Third Mind
Sat, 18 Oct at 08:00 pm The Third Mind

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Music of Bruce Springsteen + More for Kids
Sun, 26 Oct at 12:00 pm Music of Bruce Springsteen + More for Kids

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302

KIDS ENTERTAINMENT
The Warped Tour Band wsg All The Blink Things - Jersey City
Sat, 15 Nov at 07:00 pm The Warped Tour Band wsg All The Blink Things - Jersey City

White Eagle Hall

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
The Lemonheads
Fri, 21 Nov at 07:00 pm The Lemonheads

White Eagle Hall

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
The Lemonheads in Jersey City
Sat, 22 Nov at 08:00 pm The Lemonheads in Jersey City

White Eagle Hall

ART LIVE-MUSIC
The Lemonheads
Sat, 22 Nov at 08:00 pm The Lemonheads

337 Newark Ave Jersey City NJ 07302

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

What's Happening Next in Jersey City?

Discover Jersey City Events